The Charity’s object is the provision of Almshouses for the benefit of Poor Men of Good Character unable to maintain themselves by their own exertions through age, ill-health or infirmity.
Over the past few years we have found it difficult to attract single gentlemen, so...

The Charity of Roger Reede is registered with the Charity Commission and is a member of the National Association of Almshouses.
The Charity is administered by nine Trustees, and managed on a day-to-day basis by the Clerk to the Trustees and his assistant. The warden lives on...

To qualify, the applicant must be:
Over 60 years of age
With limited financial resources
In good health (neither medical nor nursing attention is provided by the Charity)
Of good character
Notices are sent out annually requesting applications for accommodation in the...

The ancient Charity of Roger Reede was founded at the time when the Wars of the Roses were drawing to a close. Many almshouse charities were founded during the reign of Elizabeth I, but Roger Reede’s began a hundred years before that.
Roger Reede died in 1482, the year...

Welcome to the Charity of Roger Reede

Working as an Almshouse Charity since 1483 - located in Church Lane, Romford, Essex

About Us

The Charity’s object is the provision of Almshouses for the benefit of Poor Men of Good Character unable to maintain themselves by their own exertions through age, ill-health or infirmity.

Over the past few years we have found it difficult to attract single gentlemen, so The Charity Commissioners therefore agreed an amendment to the scheme (by a further scheme dated 5th October 2001) which states the Almspeople shall be poor men, or failing that, poor women, who are unable to maintain themselves.

The Properties

The Charity of Roger Reede is registered with the Charity Commission and is a member of the National Association of Almshouses.

The Charity is administered by nine Trustees, and managed on a day-to-day basis by the Clerk to the Trustees and his assistant. The warden lives on site, acting as the first point of contact for residents.

History

The ancient Charity of Roger Reede was founded at the time when the Wars of the Roses were drawing to a close. Many almshouse charities were founded during the reign of Elizabeth I, but Roger Reede’s began a hundred years before that.

Roger Reede died in 1482, the year before Richard III came to the throne, and he was buried at the west end of St. Edwards Church, Romford. Little is known about him, but from his Will it seems that he owned two houses in Romford as well as several gardens and orchards and a number of mills.